Great write up which I think puts a rightly positive spin on our squad development from last year.

I don't think anyone can argue that the squad isn't stronger this season, apart from possibly at Fly Half where I think we will need to come to a decision on who the main man is otherwise we'll lack consistency in a crucial area of the pitch.

The other areas of slight concern are at lock, where without Twomey we look a bit light, and possibly in the back three if and when Brown, Visser and Yarde all go on international duty.

But generally we look in pretty good shape with some decent options across the pitch.

The question is have we improved more than those above us and enough to keep those below us at bay.

Personally I think that NLB has it spot on in that teams like Gloucester, Worcester, Sale and Newcastle (and even London Irish who will be much better than Bristol) are now more of a threat, but teams like Northampton, Leicester and Bath are there for the taking.

My own prediction is that we'll finish 5th/6th, but it's certainly going to be exciting.

No podcast this season though, we've hung up those microphones! We will keep posting things as and when using CAW - Off to the Premiership launch on Thursday - so will write up some bits from that and get it on the website ASAP!

However, I think what everyine is overlooking (& this may have happened after the report was written), is that without Wallace, & with Robshaw absent on international duty, we have zero 7s in the pack.

Yes we have Dave Ward, who I absolutely love as a makeshift 7, but to go into the season with your main 7 for half the season as a converted hooker and no back up is, to say the least, a bit of a worry.

Here is my view :
1) Quins can't just go and get another 7 - so you have to work with what you have. Ward at 7 may be the option- we have 3 other hookers in the squad plus academy options

2) I was not convinced Wallace was a nailed on starter, with everyone fit. In the past Quins have played without a traditional 7. My preferred back row of days gone by included Guest, Robshaw and Easter.
Quins can play a left and right option, with Robshaw and Clifford, leaving Luamanu to play 8. We also have Chisholm Jnr, who can fill in. It's not ideal, but it is what it is. When you throw in Ward, who is probably the best 7 option around, available. I don;t see it being so concerning.

We may find that the club manage to bring in a replacement, but chances are and history shows that they are likely to be squad players that can cover A-League etc.

Good reply, & I agree with some of what you say. However, I feel Clifford is an 8/6, Bothma is an 8, Luamanu is an 8/4. Also, whilst Guestie was one of my absolute fave players, he was very breakable...and we were blessed with the freakish unbreakability of nick Easter. Clifford seems to me to be an absolute replica of Guestie...talented, pacey, good hands - but ultimately 2nd fiddle as 6 or 8, and will never give you a full season.

I'm not being a doom and gloom merchant, I'm going to go out on a limb and say 5th this year, but the back row is the area that really concerns me.

Talking to JK yesterday, it was interesting to hear him talk about how last season they went back to square one, he stated that they had made changes to the way the team attacks and defends and how these systems can only improve over time and also when things are not going right, players will revert, under pressure, to what they know meaning it didn't always fit together - if you take this as gospel - then 6th looks even better.

The key comment was that this year they will be better, he believes the squad is better and the adjustments the club have made to attack and defence are better as well. Obviously, the issue is that everyone else will have improved as well.

He was clear though, his goal is to win the league, to make Quins champions of England again, that is the long term aim and goal, it might not happen this season but everything they do is to work toward that.

Just to echo what others have said, a great preview
And have to add having spoken with a few of the players there just seems to be a good " Atmosphere" about the team
I think JK is really starting to make his mark

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